The Untold Story of The Green Ninja

PART 5

Willow has started to teach with the Ex-ninja. She's pretty good at it. They all decided for her to stay with them, saftey-wise. Every day she stayed with the, Lloyd noticed, She seemed... What was the word... Distant? She's been standing outside the building and looking in the direction of Birchwood forest. One day, Lloyd found her, doing exactly that. He joined her side and she sighed.

"The Tree-horns were the only thing that felt like... The connection with my family." Lloyd looks over at her."My mom protected them. Father studied them. And Zane... Um... Id on't know... Defeated them I guess..."

"Oh..." Lloyd said softly."Willow," She looks at him."You never told me about your mom. How did you get separated from her?"

"She just... vanished."

"Vanished?" Lloyd echoed.

"Yeah. I woke up one day and... I couldn't find her anywhere."

"Oh." Is all Lloyd said once again. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her."We should get inside, It's getting dark out."

"I want to stay out here for a little while..." She said in a small, shy voice that did not belong to her. Lloyd smiled.

"I'll stay with you."

She sighed."Okay."

"Do you know those controller dudes?"

"No. I've never seen them before." She paused."Wait. I did see some humans barge in Birchwood forest one day."

"Do you think that's how they started controlling the tree-horns?"

"There's no doubt about."

Awkward silence.

"So, Lloyd." She said.

"Yeah?"

"When'd you find out you were the green ninja?"

"Well uh... Kai and I were trapped in a volcano and he helped me with his true potential."

"Oh."

"Uh... So you've never met Zane?"

"I don't think so. If I did... I don't remember..."

"Oh..."

"Do you like teaching here?" Willow asked, looking at him.

"Kind of. It's fun making the kids laugh, but when they... don't listen..."

Willow chuckled. Lloyd suddenly felt someone cover his mouth and yank him back.

"Lloyd!" Willow cried. Lloyd felt what was in the person's hand: a cloth. He tried breathing but the world began to spin and he closed his eyes.

*   *   *

Lloyd's eyes flickered open and saw Willow on the other side of the room. He sat up and looked around. A prison. Yipee. He looked at Willow.

"Willow?"

Willow sighed and Lloyd realized there was a peice of paper right next to her. She sniffed and turned away from him.

"You okay?" Lloyd asked. He crawled to her and sat next to her. She looked away from him again."What is it?"

"I'm thinking... It's my fault my family is gone. Maybe... If I had tried to... I don't know." She gave the paper to him without looking at him. Lloyd unfolded it.

"Dear, Willow," Lloyd read aloud."I'm very sorry I have to leave you. The controllers want you but I decided to sacrifice myself so they wouldn't take you."  Lloyd looks at Willow as she sobs but he keeps reading."I know I can't hide you forever... I know friends of your brother will help you. I will not see you soon. But go out there and live your life. Love, mom." Lloyd, again, looks at Willow."Willow..." He said softly."I..." He stops and sighs. He didn't really know what to say. She looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"Look, Willow, I may not be smart... but I know it was not your fault. You should know that too. You can't blame yourself for what the badguys did--" She made her legs flat on the ground and Lloyd saw she was hugging a picture frame.

"What's that?" She looked at it and Lloyd managed to see, see that it was a snapshot of Zane, Dr. Julien, and A woman, probably Willow's mom.

"Oh, Willow..." Lloyd said quietly.

"Lloyd..." Willow started but she was stopped by a guard.

"Yo, Treehorn girl... The boss would like to speak with you." Willow looks at Lloyd and gives him the picture. She slowly got up and followed the gaurd. Lloyd's eyes widened as the peices came together in his mind.

"Wait a second." Lloyd said. The gaurd and Willow stopped."You!" Lloyd was talking to the gaurd."You're the one who followed Willow to Chen's noodle house!" He lurched towards him but Willow blocked him.

"Whoa, Lloyd, calm down." Lloyd relaxed, although still angry, he backed away from Willow. Willow stands next to the man and turns away from Lloyd."Excuse him, Steel, he doesn't know about the deal."

"Hmm." Steel said and raised an eyebrow."He'd better watch his step. Or else he'll end up in the same place as your brother." That stabbed Lloyd in the heart.

"What?!" He flared.

"Calm down kid." Steel rolled his eyes.

"Willow. What is-- What're you-- What deal?!"

"I'll tell you later, Lloyd." Willow replied as she and Steel step outside the cell and Steel locks it."You need to cool down." Lloyd stood and angrily clutched the bars.

"Wait! Where are you going?! Are you working for them?! Willow!"

To be continued...